Many times, our customers feel that a small leak is not a big issue and that repairing it can wait. However, this is never the case, and even a small, barely noticeable leak can cause bigger issues down the road. In this guide, we will examine some of the bigger issues that can occur and consider ways to prevent them altogether.
Small Leaks Lead to More
A small leak could mean that you find moisture on a faucet or the toilet is simply running longer. These minor leaks could result in major damage to your plumbing system and your home. Not all leaks are visible to an untrained eye, so if you notice poor water pressure or more humidity in your living space, call a plumber from our team at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical to come find the leak. Here are some other signs of small leaks.
Discoloration and Staining
One major sign that there is a leak nearby is discoloration or stains on the walls or ceiling. If a pipe in your living space is dripping, the moisture inside the walls may remain. That said, when the moisture becomes excessive, it will touch the paint on the walls and ceiling, causing it to peel. When damage happens to the walls, repairs to the pipes and the paint are necessary. Contact a plumber at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical if you see any discoloration so we can help you plan your next steps.
Mold and Mildew Issues
When leaks are present in your living space, there is a possibility that mold and mildew could form as well. Mold spores take less than 24 hours to start growing, so if the leak has been persistent for a while, check your home for mold.
Most times, mold and mildew are not visible right away. This is because it grows behind walls. It has a slow growth as well, but once it takes hold in your home, it is difficult to remove. This can be detrimental to your family’s health, especially if someone in your home has pre-existing breathing issues. Once the spores begin to form, you will find that they can leave an unpleasant and stale smell in the air.
Burst Pipes
When repairs do not happen right away, there is a chance that leaks could become larger cracks. In fact, enough pressure on the broken pipe can even cause it to burst. When water flows over a break in a pipe continuously, bursts occur more frequently.
Fixing a minor leak costs much less than repairing a burst pipe. Add that to the cost of the higher water bill because of the leak, and you will see why repairing a small leak is imperative.
Structural Damage
If you don’t manage leaks right away, there is a chance that structural damage could result. This is not as common as other issues, but it still can occur. Water damage weakens the building materials in your home. Regardless of the material, water can compromise the wall’s integrity. This means that walls could sag, ceilings could crack, and wood could rot. If you notice structural damage in your home, call a professional right away. If the damage is because of a water leak in your living space, we can help you repair the leak.
Ways to Prevent Bigger Issues
Now that you understand what bigger issues could arise from a small water leak that has been dripping for an extended period of time, let’s examine how to prevent these problems.
Monitor Your Water Usage
One way to detect leaks in your plumbing system is to monitor your water usage. If your monthly water usage spikes, there may be a hidden leak somewhere in your system. With conservation, a good rule of thumb is that a family of four shouldn’t use more than 12,000 gallons of water a month.
However, a small leak can use nearly 10,000 gallons a month. If you notice your water bill getting larger, this is most likely the reason. Call a member of our team for an inspection if you’re experiencing higher-than-normal water usage.
Repair Leaking Faucets
Depending on the size of the leak, a faucet that is leaking daily wastes up to 20 gallons of water a day. If you have more than one faucet leaking, that number will increase, and the amount of water waste goes up quickly.
Both indoor and outdoor faucets can cause issues for your plumbing system, so make sure to check both for leaks. In fact, if an outdoor faucet is leaking, and the temperature drops below freezing, there is a chance the pipes could freeze or burst because of the cold air. That’s why you should call for faucet repair as soon as you notice an issue.
Check Water Supply Line Valves
If your home is older, then the plumbing may not have new parts in the system. One of the parts that tend to slip when it ages is the valves on your water supply line. You can find these under every toilet and sink in your home, and as the valve ages, it loosens, which can cause a leak. Check these valves to see if you notice any moisture at the connection point. If there is moisture, make sure to replace the valve, as it will cost much less than replacing the entire line.
Inspect Your Toilet
Toilets are one of the main reasons that families use a lot of water on a day-to-day basis. That said, toilets often fall victim to leaks, especially if the flapper is not able to hold the water. This occurs because, over time, the flapper becomes brittle. This brittle plastic allows water to trickle from the tank to the bowl.
If the leak is large enough, the toilet will keep running until the flapper position blocks most of the water. One way to see if there is a leak in your toilet is to put food coloring in the tank. If there is a leak present, the tank will contain the same color within a few minutes. When this occurs, call a professional plumber at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical to fix your toilet right away.
Maintain Your Water Heater
If you have a traditional water heater that uses a tank, then leaks are possible as the unit ages. Always inspect your water heater for signs of moisture. Even if you don’t notice moisture, make sure to get a technician into your home during the fall to make sure that the water heater is functioning as it should.
Regular maintenance will help extend the life of your water heater and allow repairs to take place if the technician finds leaks. Also, consider a tankless water heater to help prevent tank leaks from occurring.
Locating Leaks
Finding leaks in your home can be troublesome, so if you find evidence that leaks are present in your living space, let a member of our professional team at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical find it for you. We offer award-winning services to Farmington Hills and have done so for more than a century.
In addition to plumbing services, we also offer services to address your HVAC and electrical needs. This includes installation, repair, and maintenance of heating and cooling systems along with whole-house rewiring and whole-house surge protection.
As a top plumbing company in Farmington Hills, we always provide quality service. Call AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical today to schedule an appointment!
